Young Adults' Group

“By My Spirit”

by Pastor Mark
August 22, 2019

Celebrating Bethany’s 40 + 6 Anniversary

This week is a special week for all of us at Bethany. We will be celebrating our 40 + 6 Anniversary this Sunday. It is going to be a wonderful time of rejoicing as we look forward to coming together as a church family, to celebrate another milestone in the history of Bethany. At this time, let us remember what is stated on the foundation stone of our church, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts.” (Zech 4:6) What is it that we want to remember?

The challenges of ministry

Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, was tasked with the rebuilding the temple of the Lord as Israel returned from captivity. However, he was faced with significant challenges in the reconstruction of the temple. It was filled with problems. The problems seemed like a great mountain to climb. However, the Lord sought to bring encouragement to Zerubbabel.

The conquering of those mountains

The word of the Lord reminded Zerubbabel that it was not by human means that the mountains would be conquered. We cannot overcome based on our human power and might.

It was indeed by divine means that Zerubbabel would conquer. He would conquer by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the empowering of the Holy Spirit that would give Zerubbabel the much-needed strength to carry out the rebuilding project. This power would be drawn from the word of God that was given to him. The Holy Spirit would work through the word of God to provide him with the needed power to conquer. Zerubbabel could also overcome through the power of the grace of God. God would extend His grace especially for him to do all that is necessary to finish the work. The power of grace would prove to be true and dependable. It is by the grace of the Lord that he would finish the work, “Grace, grace to it!” (Zech 4:7) Let us be challenged to conquer through the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of the Lord.

The confidence to overcome

The word of the Lord was meant to give confidence to Zerubbabel

1. It is possible to overcome the mountains

“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!” (Zech 4:7)

To God, the great mountain would become a lowly plain. It would be nothing to God.

2. God would bring success

“And he shall bring forth a capstone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”” (Zech 4:7)

The capstone is the top stone to be placed on the temple. As Zerubbabel had started the work, he would also finish the task. The capstone would be placed in time, and he would shout, “Grace, grace to it”. It would be a testimony of the grace of God at work.

3. Thanking God for giving us the confidence to overcome challenges

As a church, we did not despise the day of small things, “For who has despised the day of small things?” (Zech 4:10) We started small as Bethany I. But as we built Bethany from Bethany I to Bethany IV, we had to face all kinds of challenges and obstacles. There were mountains to climb. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit and of grace, we have overcome much. Let us rejoice as we have seen the power of the Holy Spirit and grace of God working in our church over all these years. Let us continue to have the confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit and grace to face the challenges ahead.

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